(Family Features) - If your child is like mine, the first thing on his mind after school is "snack!" Now that's okay, except I want "nutritious," and he wants "treat." In trying to get kids to choose nutritious snacks, sometimes sneaky works. Like these Pumpkin-Carrot Swirl Bars.

Homemade treats can be nutritious-and believe me, they can still taste amazing! For these bars, I've used a light cream cheese and swirled it into the bars for a creamy sensation with less fat than the traditional cream cheese frosting, and I've substituted egg whites for some of the whole egg. And I've boosted the fiber and vitamin A by using nutrient-rich pumpkin as a base for the batter and adding shredded carrot.

Keep a regular meal schedule so kids don't snack so much that they're not hungry at mealtime.

Involve kids in planning and preparation: Kids who fix foods are more likely to eat them. This is a great way to get kids to try something new-enlist them as kitchen help for preparing a new food or dish.

Eat as a family, at least once a day. Eat slowly and savor your meal.

Snacks can be nutritious! Plan ahead to have healthy options available to discourage grazing on junk food.

Move it! Children and adults both need to move for good health. Make exercise a daily habit. It can be as simple as taking a walk or taking the stairs. Family fun is ensured with an active sport or game everyone enjoys.